Southern Railway - Maunsell Carriage No.6686
Corridor Brake Composite (built in 1935)

This photo shows the compartment side of the coach.

Type: Corridor Brake Composite
Built: 1935 at Eastleigh (E799)
Original No: 6686
Other Nos: S6686S
Seating: 12 1st class, 32 3rd class
Length: 59'
Restriction: 4
Weight: 32 Tons
Withdrawn: September 1966
Preserved: 1967
To Bluebell: 2/10/1971

One of the later design of Maunsell coaches with entirely flush sheeting and windows, this coach was one selected, in 1959, for refurbishment and the fitting of electric heating, for use on the Night Ferry train. As such it enjoyed an extended life on British Rail, being the penultimate Maunsell coach in regular passenger service.

Preserved by the Southern Locomotive Preservation Co., it was based in various places in Hampshire until the closure of the preservation scheme at Liss led to its transfer to the Bluebell.

It ran in service on the Bluebell until 1987 when it was withdrawn for a long-overdue overhaul. The interior has been completely stripped out, refurbished, and was replaced following the completion of the structural repairs to the ends, the sides and the doors. The complete bottom-side timbers, running the entire length of the coach, were replaced. All the external steel sheeting has also been replaced, and the coach re-entered service in April 1997.

The restoration of this coach was Highly Commended in the 1998/9 Heritage Railway Association Carriage & Wagon Awards.

Left: Third-class seating in 6686. Right: First-class seat.
(Both photos: Richard Salmon, December 2003).

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